goodnight, young novelist

Digital Album

Streaming + Download

Graydon's double album that spurred the creation of the band, The Young Novelists. Hear early versions of songs that the band still performs live!
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Also includes pdfs of album artwork.

about

In April 2009 Graydon James had a band, but no album. By August, he had an album but no band. He also had a two-week east coast tour booked, culminating in a CD release show in his home base of Toronto. The fledgling singer-songwriter, who released his debut solo EP in 2007, had spent the past three months arranging and recording his sophomore release: a harmony-driven, roots-based, hyphen-inducing double-album of 40 songs titled “goodnight, young novelist” that tackled heartache, small towns, Canadian fame, and dropkicks with equal aplomb. Now, looking down the double-barrel of a CD release tour, he needed a band to bring the recording to life.

Fortunately Graydon had deep roots in the music community, being a drummer for Toronto indie bands ranging from jazz to pop to roots rock to funk to mod beat and back again. Armed with a wish list of local musicians, and with barely a month to rehearse, Graydon assembled The Young Novelists and took to the road, performing in clubs from Peterborough to Vermont to Montreal to Halifax, often playing up to three hours of original music plumbed from the newly minted double-disc. The band forged their sound between the hammer of creativity and the anvil of the stage, rehearsing in the van, motel room, or around the campfire, and returned to perform to a capacity crowd at Toronto’s venerable Cameron House.

Since then the band has made numerous festival appearances, including the Winterfolk Festival (Toronto), Niagara In the Soil Festival (St. Catharines), Sound of Music Festival (Burlington) and North by Northeast Music Festival (Toronto). They recently won the Galaxie Rising Star Contest against the likes of Jill Barber and Madison Violet. They have also been busy garnering word-of-mouth buzz and critical praise from the media, including reviews on CBC’s The Hour Music Blog, NxEW, and Grayowl Point, and appearances on Canadian Spaces on Carleton Radio (CKCU 93.1FM) and Trent Radio (CFFF 92.7FM). Their track 'alyson, everything i know is wrong' was recently featured as 'track of the day' on CBC Radio 3. The infectiously energetic band has a tight sound, punctuated by warm four-part harmonies and salted with layers of bouncy piano, moody organ, romping bass, plucky banjo, heartfelt melodica, spry mandolin, and plaintive guitars, all centred by a deep-down roots-driving drum beat. They have been compared to The Traveling Wilburys for catchy roots hooks, The Band for heartfelt harmonies, and Wilco for intricate arrangements, but Graydon James & the Young Novelists have a sound all their own – and they thank you for listening.

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the young novelistsToronto, Ontario

Exclaim! dubbed their first EP “unpretentious brilliance” and this Toronto-based folk-roots band has won critical acclaim
ever since. Stephen Fearing described them as having “tight arrangements, great dynamics, and good songs with beautiful harmonies” and their live shows capture audiences with both barnstorming singalongs and heartbreaking folk ballads....more

highschool & heartache, how much can you take?
now you know you'll never break down
everybody's leaving, summertime grieving
cause no one's going to the same town
oh these loaded words they will go off
& break these hearts so young
ain't it tough?

[pre-chorus]
& half the time we're lost
where are the lines we've crossed?
can't you help this

[chorus]
now we'll confess, these small crimes that made this mess
& the little spot i keep inside my heart
just in case you decide these small crimes that we confide
can be chalked up to youth & we can start again.

[intro]

have you played my serenade?
bet you haven't heard it in a few years
all we did was never admit
& bring each other to tears

[pre-chorus]
& half the time we knew
& half we had no clue
what could happen...

[chorus]
[instr. chorus] x2

Track Name: coming down

COMING DOWN

verse: (G C C G) x3 Gdim
chorus: (Em D C G) x3 B
outro: C G D Am

it's either coming down or not coming at all
i guess i'd really like to know
for all this common ground we never seem to talk
& that may be the final blow
i've got a brother now & yeah, i'm still in charge
but someday he will steal the show
i haven't packed my things but i'm ready to...

it's such a simple word, the only one you know
that got you into all this mess
& if you haven't heard your band is still around
they're different but the same, i guess
the little saboteur inside your broken heart
is the only one who's saying yes
you better take your time before you decide to...

[ch]

[outro]
it comes down, i know, i know...

(repeat 1st line of 1st verse)

Track Name: for the record

FOR THE RECORD

verse: G6 G x3 Em Em/F# G
chorus: Em C G x2
outro: Em C G D

for the record this is gonna hurt
i shed a tear for you at work
surrounded by people i didn't wanna tell
oh i hid it well.
i wanna risk it but i don't wanna fail
launch the boat with the broken sail
watch it sink beneath the

[chorus]
waves...anyways, what is beneath?
it'll stay the same just out of reach.

come clean with the wisdom of a year
you'll find love but you won't find it here
just a heart that'll never be enough
shy as you are you do not know your worth
your tears are the salt on the face of the earth
& i'm the only thing you should

[ch]
change...it's a shame
to look into these blue eyes.

[outro]
for the record you're the last word x2
this old memory you inside me

[verse]
this is gonna hurt
this is gonna hurt (end on [C])

Track Name: how to replace what is gone

HOW TO REPLACE WHAT IS GONE

intro: [G F] x2 G F C
verse: C F
chorus: G F C
bridge: Dm F C Dm G C

i remember my home, i remember my youth
i remember the way you could suss out the truth
& you were the first man that i'd ever known
& i was the son that moved out on my own
oh i never said thank you but i thought you heard
we are taciturn men with emotions interred
i remember my mother that night on the phone
your hearts were both broken -- fresh as a bone

CH.
& help me, cause i can't take this
tell me i don't gotta take anymore

the roadside attractions, the bedside detail
& teenage contempt is a working man's jail
you taught me the tricks but still i was all thumbs
but i saw you smile when i played the drums

CH.
& help me, cause i can't take this
oh tell me how to replace what is gone

BR.
& i won't let you down, i won't disappoint you
& someday i will find you, someday i will join you
yeah...
& nothing short of heartache ever made me cry
& nothing short of leaving made me say goodbye

all these common feelings crowd our
tender hearts our mended parts will
always be a million cracks we
can't relax we want you back...

country kids, we party like we mean it
not cool because we want it / & harder to redeem it
country kids, we're getting dared to try it
we're drinking up our courage / & sparking up a riot.

[pre]
this 2nd hand remorse, the drug you try to score
an earthquake of a girl could rock you to the core
but she's in love with him, & he's in love with cars
you've made a lot of plans, but nothing's worked so far

[chorus]
can you take what you're given / & have what you're taking
can we be forgiven? / this heart that you're breaking
is all that's left living / inside me, making me hurt so bad.

someone else could break you like a habit
oh man, i think we've had it / your folks are coming home
take my word, you'll see i'm not the only
one of the lonely / who's never been alone.

[pre]
a summer in the fields & college in the fall
your older brother knows a guy down at the mall
who can totally hook us up with all his mother's pills
well no one knows us yet, but pretty soon they will
the hearts we're gonna fill, the blood we're gonna spill

[ch]

Track Name: bsmnt

BSMNT

verse: E A7 D7
chorus: G# A E E x2 G# A E C#m F#m /G# A B7

can we go? is it too early for you?
down in the hole they're sparking up your tune
oh the word is...the cops rolled in just as we left
your parents noticed the basement was a fucking mess
& you arranged it so you could sleep in until noon

[chorus]
the evil eye, the mellow flood / the clock is ticking, bad blood
& the explosion was a dud / & you pulled a muscle cause
you won't say you're sorry

no more excuses out of you
you can't stay & talk about the view
you can find me out with autumn on the deck
that reminds me she makes me nervous what the heck
is going through your head? something by the who

[chorus]
the hell am i? the desperate love / the future told, the stars above
& the explosion was a dud / & you pulled a muscle cause
you won't say you're sorry

yeah...
[inst. over verse]
the cops rolled in just as we left
your parents noticed & you prayed for sudden death
& you arranged it so you could sleep in until noon

[repeat 1st chorus]

whoa, c'mon rock out

Track Name: love, i will find you

LOVE, I WILL FIND YOU

verse: E A
chorus: E B A

lately i've been holding on
to nothing for far too long
& i'm afraid if i let go
i'll lose the only thing i know
somehow i have got this wrong
they tied me up when i was young
when i got free i looked for you
i know my heart, but where are you, where are you?

[ch]
love, i will find you someday x3

i have tried without success
the hurt i know defined me best
but will you change me & reshape me too
take these empty parts that still need you

[ch]

i can dream & you can dream
& if we dream, oh there we'll meet
don't be scared i feel you breathing
this heart's beating, this heart's beating
feel this heart beat x4

[ch]

(hold E)
someday...someday.

Track Name: all the stars come down

ALL THE STARS COME DOWN

verse: (Em C G Bm Am) x4 A7
chorus: D D G A

hey modern world there's a time & a place
to remind me i'm a thorn in your side
i'm a thorn & if this talk is a waste of time
well, i am sworn to defend i am sworn
to tell you all your modern war is a waste
i will warn you that you need a warning
don't be so sure...so sure

[ch]
there's an open road
i have walked upon
take a heavy load
share it with the dawn
& you will know...

dig for a dime & you'll find that the devil's only
in the way that you say no way
& never mind that the earth is holy
it's a prayer for us all & beware
when you decide – don't fake the smile
next door it's worldwide – my inch your mile
comfort & suicide...comfort & suicide

[ch]
there's an open road
we will all walk down
paved with the gold
from every crown
& you will know... [verse instr. once]

& the stars fall down
all the stars come down x2

Track Name: & give yourself a second chance

& GIVE YOURSELF A SECOND CHANCE

verse: G D G C Em Em Am C
chorus: D G D Am x2 C
outro: G D Am C

stop living alone, the crown & the throne
& give yourself a second chance to
step out of your skin, show up and give in
the only thing you said you can't do

[chorus]
no one needed me less
i'm a sucker i guess, for the obvious
& no one needed me less
you were such a success turning no into yes

so give yourself a second chance to
correct the mistakes, reveal all the fakes
& tell them what you think they can do
indulge me for years, cause you talk i'm all ears
so tell me i'm the only man who

ain't it amazing
the great big deal the double-cross
& the heart string
the precious thing you thought you'd lost

[ch]
i'm not the best at love
i'm sure you can tell & i'm sorry as hell oh...
i'm not the best at love
but i'm trying to be

ain't it a comfort
hound dog eyes on a great white shark
so borrow my shirt
& wrap it tight on your tattered heart

[ch]

[bridge]
see what's going on behind you
is there no one trying to find you
if you're forgetful well i'm here to remind you
when the best part's supposed to come
when the best part's supposed to come
oh the best part's yet to come

the streetcar is alight
it couldn't happen more than twice
& the cellphone crew is out full force
well everyone has their price
late night st. jamestown cemetery
is the only safe place to walk
& down on bay street all the angry youth
are armed to the teeth with rocks.

[chorus]
it's high time we tucked you in / & called it a day
goodnight, city, now all your sins / are safely tucked away

it's a matter of time
before this produce will sour
& a twelve-year old is buying smokes
every hour on the hour
the door to the coffeeshop
is held by a shaking homeless man
& there's a deal on a stereo
in the back, in the back of a van.

[chorus]

[bridge]
don't you care what we think?
won't you help me to take
a step back from the brink?
cause i'm scared it will break
don't you know how to take care
of everything that needs a home
her crazy talk is really a poem
she makes them up so she won't be alone
so...goodnight.

can you believe the way we look?
how far we got & how long it took?
you made my autobiography
something to read i turn a page
i see your name, you're at an age
you know all my geography
with little looks -- no innocence
we're all prepared but no defense
cause once you start
you're the change of heart

PRE
i'm on my knee to clean the mud
you touched my head & made a flood
the bitter pill that did the good

CH
we both knew what truth could do
& truth will do us in again
yeah we knew what truth could do
& truth will do us in again

these hearts will break & never mend
the blood will pump but where does it end?
we've been growing up alone
oh little girls are undefended
& little boys can't stop pretending
their hearts are stone & their tears go unknown

PRE
our history for goodness sake
written in tears on our heartache
i want to sing but my voice will break

[chorus]

[outro]

Track Name: alyson, everything i know is wrong

ALYSON, EVERYTHING I KNOW IS WRONG

verse: G Am C C
chorus: Bm G D G Bm Bm G G D D C

[chorus]
alyson, if you aren't the one
then everything i know is wrong

put your foot down there's always a few
i could be overcome & so could you
we're grown but we're still young
you're one in a million
& i am a million to one

[ch]

[instr. verse]

[repeat 1st chorus]
alyson, the damage is done
now every chance i had is gone

Track Name: emma, keep my stuff (safe)

EMMA, KEEP MY STUFF (SAFE)

chorus: F C E Am F C E E7
verse: [Am G F E] x3 C F C E

CH.
emma, another guy has got your number
& he'll probably call you up, & you'll go out with him

your dreidle broke & it was all my fault
but you took the blame & stood up for me
& when your mom left, you turned to me & said:
"i think you're cool." well no one ever thought
i was cool until you
suddenly changed like a musical robot.
you talked like this, & rubbed it in
& what's wrong with me saying "i love you" in a letter?
i used to feel like hell, but i like you in that sweater

[chorus]

there's nothing like pasta on a tuesday
it completes me the way you never could even if you tried
oh but sometimes i wish you were like pasta on a tuesday:
[you'd fill me up, yeah,] x3, fuller than religion

[chorus] x2

Track Name: she's that girl

SHE'S THAT GIRL

verse: A D A D C#7
chorus: F#m E A B7
outro: [A D] x4 A D Dm

she cleverly leaves a sign where you'll find it
she's a doll, she's a dream, yeah she's alright
she carefully speaks her mind, she's so shy now
she hides with all her might, but she's my girl every night

CH.
she's everyone's best friend
it starts with the heart, but it won't end
she's that girl, yeah

she suddenly is on your mind all the time, now
the girl you knew has turned into the girl you need
she comes between the good & bad & what you had now
she's a heart so bittersweet, she's a love you can't defeat

CH.
she's everything in the world
that means anything, yeah she's that girl
she's that girl, yeah

make good on your word or suffer the same
i think you parked down at fairview to sully my name
you can't know the heartache of canadian fame
you think your hand's on the pulse but you're only touching a vein

PRE
& making a scene is my only skill
i'm falling like leaves i'm crawling uphill
when i began this life of crime
i needed your heart & you needed mine
oh it's been...yeah it's been a long time

CH.
(it's been a long time) x3

the arms crossed, the young girl & my autograph
the long talk, it's all verbs & nobody laughs
oh the tide turns & who's on about making a comeback?
no no i'm not all that you need, i'm all that you lack

[repeat pre-chorus]
[repeat chorus]

[instr. verse & half pre-chorus]

when i began this life of crime
i needed your heart & you needed mine
& it's been...yeah it's been a long time

waiting long distance heart
playing all of the parts
& i'm so lonely i'm ashamed
i've got to fail to learn so will
i only learn to fail, & still
i find i'm taking all the blame
a consequence of staying the same

CH.
& if i wait, & if i hope / am i giving myself rope
with which to hang my little head / or get my heart tied up instead
(it seems to happen all the time) x2

your little look in a photograph
i'm tangled up with my better half
& i'm a thief to my common sense
but which is worse, the do or die
the love i lost when i didn't try
your lips could pull me off the fence
maybe we could be good parents

[chorus]

BR.
i could hold you for a night / & when we walk we walk in time
swinging hands i know aren't mine / talking about our next time
we get to spend / (hoping this one never ends) x2

waiting long distance heart
it's my turn so i should start
i'll show you everything inside
& say i wish that you were mine
(it seems to happen all the time) x2
but this doesn't happen all the time

[outro]

Track Name: make it feel alright

MAKE IT FEEL ALRIGHT

V: Em A B
CH: [C7 Cm7 G] x3 A Am B

don't cry disappointment
keep my own appointment
i've been late before
& you showed me the door
now i'm walking heart in hand
cause you don't understand
i tried to make you see
but you won't look at me

CH.
girl i think we just need one more chance
to fix the broken heart of this romance
put on that little number let's go dance
all night & we...we'll make it feel alright

baby the night is long
i need just one more song
& i will take you home
it's hard to be alone
precious every day
i'll love you every way
like a good boy should
oh please let me be good

come out of your pretty head & say goodnight
the aftermath will bring you down without a fight
if you want it then you want it yeah you know what you want
but you'd better believe this will come back to haunt...you

take all the proof you've gathered so long
come down from the fence that you're sitting upon
these bloodshot sad eyes will witness the end
i wish we'd been better friends...
sing your goodbyes & name your disease
& when we both speak there'll be harmonies
you hit the highs, i'll hit the lows
& damn all those critics, who cares what they know

[chorus]
pull me back under / cause you've got my number
& sometimes i wonder / if you can explain
why you changed your name
but you're still the same...man that i

can't live without & can't live within
you let it get under your skin
so go hit them highs, i've got the lows
& damn all those critics, who cares what they know

[bridge]
the balloon that you tied to your wrist
putting one more on the guest list
& i'm still sure i could never believe you would change
it's strange...you've taken the boy but the man complains

[ch]

can't live without & can't live within
you let it get under your skin
so go hit them highs, i've got the lows
& (damn all those critics) x3
who cares what they know.

Track Name: i'm still waiting

I'M STILL WAITING

verse: G (riff) C (riff)
chorus: Am D

part of me is alone now
time for me to be over you now
but i keep walking the same ground
keep mistaking the same small sound for
you...but i walked
down...the same old block
they changed the big box
we sat out back when we had that long talk

bet you thought that i forgot
but i'm not that kind of boy
i'm down the street & when we meet
you'll talk & i'll enjoy
everything you say, & hug you the next day
don't watch the clock, lift the lock
take your glasses off too late
hum your tune, show me the moon
but i will have to wait
to see it fill, i hear it's growing still

[chorus]
i hope that i remember to marry you when i get older

down to this, steal back the kiss
the one you stole in '98
i've got a crush & don't see you much
anticipation's the best state
i know what to do with my sunday afternoons

[ch]

[bridge]
keep me in the loop when the lasso comes down
rumours fly the truth is starting to sound
good to me who needs second chances?
now that's settled please, let's go dancing

you could be another dirty secret
i don't need, but i've got to keep it
why me? am i the only one
make amends & take your friends for granted
they will spend their time on underhanded
schemes & then i'm not the only one

[chorus]
but you won't chance another try
the no i can'ts, the do or die
& you are only happy when you cry
you're bittersweet you only start
we're all six feet above your heart
& you are only happy when you cry
& maybe i'm a lie, but i had to make you happy didn't i?

[bridge]
but you can look down on everyone tall
& when you hit pound you'll find that nobody's called
oh you can look down on everyone tall
& when you hit pound you'll find that nobody's called

break the bank & thank them all as follows
truth the bitter pill that nobody can swallow
& you're empty still, the hollow you've become